Sue Hecht

ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland General Assembly has agreed to extend the state's prevailing wage law to more school construction projects. The House of Delegates on Friday approved a bill, which already passed the Senate, requiring contractors to pay workers the prevailing wage on jobs where the state is paying at least half the cost. The former threshold was 75 percent. Del. John P. Donoghue, D-Washington, was the only member of the delegation to vote in favor. He has said it's an issue of fairness to workers.

laurae@herald-mail.com Sen. Alex X. Mooney's campaign boasted Wednesday about having $336,445 to spend on his Senate race against Del. Sue Hecht. But Hecht said voters should be outraged that Mooney has raised that much money for a job that pays $34,500 next year. "Don't show me the money. Show me the results for the citizens of Frederick and Washington County," said Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington. Hecht has $137,535 in her campaign fund, according to her finance report filed Tuesday.

Gov. Parris Glendening, as promised, has set aside money to help establish the University System of Maryland Hagerstown Education Center. Glendening's office announced Monday that the county will get $150,000 to start planning the campus off Interstate 70 at Downsville Pike. The grant was included in the last $153 million piece of Glendening's budget proposal, which he had been holding back as he negotiated for votes on his legislative proposals such as a tobacco tax, gay rights and collective bargaining.

laurae@herald-mail.com ANNAPOLIS - Gov. Parris Glendening signed into law Thursday tougher sex offender penalties aimed at preventing incidents like the one that ended in the death of a 9-year-old Frederick boy. Under the new law, repeat violent sex offenders can be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, sponsored the law in memory of Christopher Ausherman, who was sexually assaulted and strangled by Elmer Spencer Jr. in November 2000.

ANNAPOLIS - Sen. Don Munson said he's confident that Hagerstown won't lose the University System of Maryland education center. cont. from front page "The sky is not falling. Cooler heads seem to be prevailing," Munson, R-Washington, said Thursday. On Wednesday, Gov. Parris Glendening told Del. John Donoghue, D-Washington, and Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, that he would cut the project unless a site comparison study was removed from the 2001 budget. Procedurally, it's too late for Munson to amend it out of the budget, which the Senate is scheduled to vote on today.

Nursing homes to allow video cameras By LAURA ERNDE laurae@herald-mail.com ANNAPOLIS - Nursing homes in Maryland have agreed to open themselves to so-called granny-cams on a trial basis. The pilot program, which will put video cameras in two nursing homes in the state, was the result of a bill sponsored by Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington. "It's historic," Hecht said. The House Environmental Matters Committee, citing privacy concerns, refused to pass what would have been the first law of its kind in the country, said Chairman Ronald Guns, D-Eastern Shore.

A local lawmaker wants to give tax breaks to businesses that allow their employees to work from home. Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, is proposing a telework tax credit of up to $10,000 per business. "This is good for traffic issues we all know are difficult in Maryland. It's good for our environment. It's good for families because they can choose to stay home and work," Hecht told the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. Hecht initially wanted to give tax breaks to employees as well as the employers who allow them to telework.

ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation Tuesday to post the names of convicted sex offenders on the Internet. [cont. from front page ] Arguing in favor of the bill before the House of Delegates, Del. Sue Hecht said such a law would have prevented Roger Allen Zook, 58, from sexually abusing boys in Frederick County. The former drum teacher is serving a 120-year prison sentence for abusing 18 boys. He is suspected of abusing more than 100 boys.

Tip jar legislation approved by House ANNAPOLIS - Legislation that would increase by an estimated $1.35 million the amount of tip jar gaming proceeds distributed to charity through the Washington County Gaming Commission was approved by the Maryland House of Delegates Wednesday evening. "We're 50 percent there," said Del. John P. Donoghue, D-Washington, referring to the fact that the measure must now be approved by the state Senate. The bill, which was approved by a 127-2 vote in the House, would require fraternal and social clubs to funnel all of their required charitable donations raised from tip jars through the Gaming Commission in the form of cash.

laurae@herald-mail.com Sen. Alex X. Mooney's campaign boasted Wednesday about having $336,445 to spend on his Senate race against Del. Sue Hecht. But Hecht said voters should be outraged that Mooney has raised that much money for a job that pays $34,500 next year. "Don't show me the money. Show me the results for the citizens of Frederick and Washington County," said Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington. Hecht has $137,535 in her campaign fund, according to her finance report filed Tuesday.

Many thanks To the editor: On behalf of Carolyn W. Brooks, coordinator of the HotSpot Initiative in Hagerstown, I would like to thank the following contributors for their generosity towards preparing "Summer Survival Kits" for the children of the HotSpot areas: The Knights of Columbus - Pangborn Chapter 1365; Mary E. Grove; St. Mary's Church; McDonald's, Burger King; Dr. Palank, D.D.S.; Roy Rogers; Hagerstown Community College; Mental Health Center; Washington County Health Department Outreach; Washington County Health Department Prevention; Washington County Community Partnership and American General Insurance graciously donated monetary gifts, food, coupons, pens, pencils, clothing etc. in support of the programs that assist youths and young adults in becoming productive citizens in Hagerstown HotSpot communities.

laurae@herald-mail.com FREDERICK, Md. - In an attempt to change the tone of a state Senate race she says has been marred with charges of deception and insults, Democrat Sue Hecht signed a campaign "code of conduct" Wednesday and urged her opponent to follow suit. "I owe it to all of our citizens who feel disenchanted with politics and turned off to the point they're not involved," Hecht said during a press conference in front of Frederick City Hall. Without mentioning Sen. Alex X. Mooney's name, Hecht called on him to join her in running an honest campaign for the District 3 race, one that focuses on the issues.

laurae@herald-mail.com After vetoing all legislation passed by Sen. Alex X. Mooney, Gov. Parris Glendening on Thursday signed into law five bills championed by Mooney's challenger. Mooney, R-Frederick/Washington, called the Democratic governor's action partisan. "This is the problem with a one-party state. Unfortunately, the Glendening-Townsend Administration isn't interested in helping Western Maryland," he said. Glendening spokeswoman Michelle Byrnie said veto decisions are made based on public policy.

laurae@herald-mail.com ANNAPOLIS - Gov. Parris Glendening signed into law Thursday tougher sex offender penalties aimed at preventing incidents like the one that ended in the death of a 9-year-old Frederick boy. Under the new law, repeat violent sex offenders can be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, sponsored the law in memory of Christopher Ausherman, who was sexually assaulted and strangled by Elmer Spencer Jr. in November 2000.

A local lawmaker wants to give tax breaks to businesses that allow their employees to work from home. Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, is proposing a telework tax credit of up to $10,000 per business. "This is good for traffic issues we all know are difficult in Maryland. It's good for our environment. It's good for families because they can choose to stay home and work," Hecht told the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. Hecht initially wanted to give tax breaks to employees as well as the employers who allow them to telework.

Annapolis Yet another local lawmaker is suffering from health problems this session. Del. Louise V. Snodgrass, R-Frederick/Washington, was getting around with help of a wheelchair last week because of an arthritis flare-up. Meanwhile, Del. Robert A. McKee, R-Washington, said physical therapy doesn't seem to be helping his knee, which was injured in a December car accident. The good news is the youngest member of the delegation, 30-year-old Sen. Alex X. Mooney, has shown some improvement to his ailing eyes.

Lawmakers react to Glendening's address By LAURA ERNDE laurae@herald-mail.com Some Washington County lawmakers said the vision Gov. Parris Glendening outlined in his final State of the State address Wednesday sounded out of touch. "He certainly has a vision and he has a right to that vision. It's not necessarily consistent with most people sitting in the chamber," said Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington. Munson pointed out that Glendening won't be back after this year, the end of his two four-year terms as governor.

Governor signs local bills today Annapolis By LAURA ERNDE laurae@herald-mail.com Washington County's sheriff will get a pay raise and local fire and rescue volunteers could get tax breaks under legislation to be signed into law today by Gov. Parris Glendening. Glendening plans to sign 126 bills today. He'll sign important legislation providing prescription drug relief for senior citizens as well as a less serious bill to name the calico the official state cat. Ten of the bills the governor will sign were sponsored by the Washington County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly or individual local lawmakers.